Committee

Dear Boston University Community Member,

In April 2009, the University’s Bike Safety Committee surveyed the Charles River Campus cycling community. In this survey we asked questions related to riding experience, campus safety, and the availability and convenience of our cycling related facilities, which included bike racks and storage. We ended the survey by asking for your suggestions, comments, and concerns.

A total of 412 students and staff responded to the survey; here is a brief overview of some of the key results.

Results

Feedback

Bicycle Parking – Animated Installation Map (Sept. 2008 – Dec. 2009)

Exterior Bike Racks and Bike Rooms (Installation Location List)

2009/2010 Bike Safety Committee Agenda

Latest Survey Results

Experience

  • 85% of those who replied had a bicycle on campus.
  • 86% rode their bike at least once a week
  • 95% rated their cycling ability as good/very good/excellent
  • 75% consider themselves to be experienced urban riders

Safety

  • 18% never wear a helmet
  • 19% ride on occasion without a helmet
  • 60% were familiar with local and state cycling laws
  • 46% always obey cycling laws
  • 70% do not feel safe when riding on Commonwealth Avenue

Bike Racks

  • 85% frequently or occasionally lock their bikes to something other than a bike rack
  • 61% cannot find a space in a bike rack
  • According to those surveyed, the top campus locations where additional bike racks are needed are:
    1. CAS
    2. Cummington Street
    3. South Campus
    4. FitRec
    5. Warren Towers
    6. SMG
    7. Marsh Plaza
    8. Bay State Road
    9. GSU

Feedback:

There was a consistent theme to the comments, suggestions and concerns. Ranked in order of frequency, they are:

BU Bridge/University Road:

  • Bike safety
  • Pedestrian safety
  • Traffic congestion/gridlock

Bike Lane:

  • Pedestrians and vehicles blocking the route
  • Proximity to parked cars and moving traffic (doored cyclists)
  • Requests to extend it to Packard’s Corner
  • Requests for increased signage and awareness

Bike Racks:

  • Increase in numbers campus wide
  • Increase in interior and covered bike racks and storage

Enforcement:

  • Increased enforcement by University and City Police of cycling, motorist and pedestrian laws
  • Removal of bicycles that are abandoned or impact personal safety

The Bike Safety Committee reviewed the responses including the additional comments and suggestions submitted by nearly 50% of the respondents. Based on the data and your suggestions, we are doing the following:

Bike Racks – Interior & Exterior

Bike parking capacity prior to 8/22/2008

1535

Bike parking capacity added since 8/22/2008

2050

Percentage increase in bike parking capacity since 8/22/08

134%

Total bike rack capacity as of 11/02/2009

3585

When the Bike Safety Committee was formed in 2008, there were space to park 1535 bicycles on at external racks on the Charles River Campus. As of November 2009, that capacity had grown to 3585* spaces, which is an increase of approximately 134 percent.

Bike racks continue to be installed throughout the campus including most of the locations identified in the survey.

* this number includes the capacity available in the bicycle parking rooms in Warren Towers and at 504 Park Drive

2009/2010 Bike Safety Committee Agenda

  • The Bike Safety Committee has hired an outside consulting firm to evaluate the following issues:
    • Evaluate the existing cycling, pedestrian and motorist conditions in and around the University Road/BU Bridge section of Commonwealth Avenue and offer short-term solutions related to signage, equipment and the sequence timing of the lights
  • We will continue to work through the Office of Government and Community Affairs to petition the City for increased signage and enforcement.
  • Continue our participation with the City’s Boston Bike Share Evaluation Committee to bring a bike share program to the City of Boston, including the Charles River and Medical campuses
    • On August 12th, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council announced it had selected a vendor for a bike-sharing program.  A Canadian company, the Public Bike System Company, was selected to bring a network of bike-sharing stations to Boston, and plans to expand the system into Cambridge, Somerville, and Brookline shortly afterward.
  • Increase education and awareness through the University’s cycling and pedestrian safety campaigns.  This cycling, pedestrian and motorist safety campaign will include posters, videos, and publications.
  • Continue co-hosting Bike & Pedestrian Safety Day.
    • This year’s event was held on Marsh Plaza on Thursday, September 10th.  The event featured local bike shops, BU clubs, BUPD, and community advocacy groups.  Students, faculty and staff were given free bicycle maintenance checks, fittings, and bike registration as well as safety demonstrations, group safety ride sign-ups, and gear giveaways.   Congratulations to Ruthie Beane Jean of the School of Engineering’s Student Services who won the grand prize; a 2010 Trek District Bike.
  • Continue to identify and install interior and exterior bike racks and continue to investigate shelters for some exterior racks
  • Identify strategic on-campus locations where existing City parking meter spaces can be converted into bike parking
  • Monitor the issues related to the possible extension of the Commonwealth Avenue bike lane beyond the BU Bridge
  • Explore the addition of new bike paths leading to and through the Charles River Campus
  • Evaluate the current use of the Saint Mary’s Bridge and make recommendations for possible bike lane(s)